Businessman Freed of Gun, Ammo Charges

–Due to Prosecution’s Unpreparedness

October 22 2024 –Weston Pickering, a 42-year-old businessman from Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was freed of gun and ammunition charges after the case was dismissed on Monday by Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond Magistrates’ Courts.

The charges stemmed from an August 2024 arrest, when an illegal AK-47 assault rifle and matching rounds of ammunition were found at Pickering’s home during a police raid.

On the day of his arrest, Pickering's residence at Somerset Court Housing Scheme, Herstelling was searched by police, who discovered the rifle, along with 59 rounds of ammunition, hidden in a washing machine.

Despite confirming that he did not have a firearm license, Pickering remained silent when questioned by the police. He was subsequently charged and placed before the court.

However, the charges were dismissed on Monday after Pickering’s attorney, Bernard Da Silva, successfully argued that the prosecution had repeatedly failed to provide key evidence.

Da Silva pointed out that the case had been ongoing since August, and despite numerous warnings from Magistrate Bess, the prosecution failed to disclose statements and relevant evidence required for the start of the trial.

The case was set for a peremptory hearing, but when the prosecutor still did not have the case file by the 1:30 p.m. deadline on Monday, Magistrate Bess granted the defence’s application for dismissal.

As a result, Pickering was freed of all charges related to the illegal firearm and ammunition.

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), at approximately 18:25 hrs on August 11, 2024, an Assistant Superintendent and a team from the Providence Police Station conducted an intelligence- led operation at Pickering’s residence at Lot 2 Somerset Court Housing Scheme, Herstelling.

The property was a two-storey structure within a well-fenced yard. Pickering was informed that the police were there to search for arms, ammunition, and drugs, and he consented to the search.

During the search, Police discovered an AK-47 rifle wrapped in a brown towel inside a washing machine on the lower flat of the property.

Pickering confirmed that he did not hold a firearm license when asked by the Police, and he remained silent when cautioned about the allegation of possessing a firearm without a license.

Additionally, 29 live matching rounds were found inside a magazine, and 30 live matching rounds of ammunition were discovered in a pair of black and white socks wrapped in the towel.

Police also found six live 9mm rounds of ammunition in a bedroom on the upper flat of the house.

Further investigation led to the discovery of a significant amount of currency in a brown suitcase located in a room of the house. The following currencies were found CAD 11,312, USD 1,583, CNY 10, TTD 5,120, BBD 70, JMD 50, GYD 480,000, EUR 120, and GBP 3,405.

Consequently, Pickering was arrested, and the firearm, ammunition, and cash were transported to the Providence Police Station, where the money was counted in his presence, marked, and sealed.

The firearm and ammunition were also lodged.